Pool Reports of February 6, 2023

In-Town White House Pool Report—Number 1

Good morning—

First in-town pool report for Feb 6th, 2023. A lunch lid has been called until 12:30 PM.

In-Town White House Pool Report—Number 2

The lunch lid has been extended until 2 PM EST.

In-Town White House Pool Report—Number 3

Coming out of a 2 PM EST lunch lid, the White House is still expecting a 2:15 PM EST press briefing.

In-Town White House Pool Report—Number 4

Receiving some questions—so I will clarify here: President Biden has not returned to the White House, and there is a briefing scheduled for 2:15 PM EST. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

In-Town White House Pool Report—Number 5

The White House press briefing has started.

In-Town White House Pool Report—Number 6

During the White House briefing, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on the balloon: "Shooting the balloon down over water wasn't just the safest option, it maximized the chance of recovering the payload, giving us a better chance to get information from the Chinese surveillance balloon." To criticism that the American people aren't seeing the administration's economic successes, NEC Director Brian Deese said it's a process. "The state of the economy is strong," Deese recalled Biden telling him on Friday.

In-Town White House Pool Report—Number 7

Lid lifted. Biden in the air. Gather at 3:55 for chopper talk to take place on South Lawn.

In-Town White House Pool Report—Number 8

Five-minute warning on Biden chopper talk.

In-Town White House Pool Report—Number 9

Biden has returned to the White House, via Marine One, along with the following advisers:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Mike Donilon, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Anita Dunn, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting

During the gaggle on the South Lawn, Biden said it was "always" his plan to shoot down the balloon. Then, responding to why China would fly a balloon over the United States, Biden said, "cause they're the Chinese government."

In-Town White House Pool Report—Number 10

The White House has called a lid. Have a good evening.